James Talarico opens US Senate campaign denouncing ‘bullies bigots, billionaires’
| September 19, 2025
Feeling scrappy? State Rep. James Talarico reminded supporters that living in a politically red state has taught them how to fight, pointing to Democratic icons like Barbara Jordan, Beto O’Rourke, and Wendy Davis.
Talarico, running for US Senate in 2026, wants to become the first Texas Democrat to win a statewide campaign since 1994.
Texas Republicans pass anti-trans bathroom bill
| September 9, 2025
The Texas Senate on Wednesday gave final approval to a bill that bans transgender people from using restrooms that align with their gender identity in government buildings, and public schools and colleges, sending it to Gov. Greg Abbott for his signature.
If Abbott signs the bill into law, it will take effect on Dec. 3.
Texas Senate bans THC again, targets bathroom use by trans people
| August 18, 2025
cannabis | EXCO-Player | LGBTQ | local politics | old texas | TEXAS | TEXAS LEGISLATURE | TEXAS SENATE | thc
Although Texas House Democrats left the state to block a Republican redistricting bill, Republicans in the Texas Senate passed bills targeting trans people and THC.
WATCH: Texas Senate Democrats blast ‘immoral, racist’ redistricting plan
| August 13, 2025
Democrats | EXCO-Player | greg abbott | HTX | local politics | old texas | redistricting | TEXAS | TEXAS POLITICS | TEXAS SENATE
After Democrats in the Texas Senate tried—and failed—to stop a vote approving a Republican bill redrawing the state’s congressional maps, state Sen. Borris Miles (D-Houston) delivered a fiery message to voters.
The Senate vote, though, is moot as Democrats blocked the bill in the state House. Gov. Greg Abbott has promised to call another special session to pass the measure.
How to fight Texas’ ‘trash’ school library censorship policies
| July 3, 2025
bannedbooks | EXCO-Player | old texas | public education | public school | TEXAS | TEXAS LEGISLATURE | TEXAS POLITICS | TEXAS SENATE | youtube
Senate Bill 13, which literacy advocates say will destroy public school libraries and make book banning easier in Texas, takes power away from public school librarians and gives it to school boards and parents instead.
But local advocates like Laney Hawes, co-director of the Texas Freedom to Read Project, are fighting back.
SB 13 creates an advisory committee made up of parents that school boards can delegate decision making to, but there’s an option in the new law that allows districts to not adopt the council.
“ Our recommendation is, to districts, do not approve the library council in your school districts because it doesn't work,” Hawes told COURIER Texas. “It wasn't written to work. Don't do it. It's too many steps, and it’s going to destroy your school library.”